Page 41 - ATR 5 2019 digital

AT ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS, THERE ARE DIFFERENT
PROCEDURES FOR HOW DRIVERS SHARE
INFORMATION DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEY’RE
USING ELDS OR AOBRDS … AND IF DRIVERS

PROVIDE DOT OFFICERS WITH THE WRONG SYSTEM
INFORMATION, THERE’S A CHANCE A CITATION WILL
BE GIVEN DUE TO THE INCOMPATIBILITY.

—JAY THOMPSON, CHIEF OF THE
ARKANSAS HIGHWAY POLICE AND PRESIDENT OF THE
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE

since the mandate and starting to see a chance a citation will be given due to
the benefits,” he says. “If a carrier just the incompatibility,” Thompson says.
gets an ELD to meet the mandate, they “Using a mix of systems also means
are missing the boat of real value for managers will need to monitor data on
the driver and the fleet. You want a two separate interfaces, which could
total fleet management system in your lead to back-office errors and duplica-
ELD.” tion.
“Support for AOBRDs and their
ON-TIME IMPLEMENTATION software will likely decline as ELDs
So what happens if someone misses become more prominent, making trou-
the December deadline? bleshooting increasingly difficult.”
Right now, Thompson says, a non- Training and demonstration of pro-
compliant driver could receive a citation ficiency are the most important items
and be placed out of service. to focus on when transition to ELDs,
“Enforcement officers will be Thompson says.
enforcing this rule as they do all safety “Switching from AOBRD to ELD
regulations and take the appropriate well before the December deadline not
enforcement action when violations only gives you ample time to address
are discovered,” Thompson says. “It is any questions that arise during the
also important to note our officers have transition, but also ensures you’re far
received training surrounding the many more likely to receive the support you
ELD exemptions as well.” need during the process from your ELD
Thompson said training classes provider,” he says.
have been conducted around Arkansas Just like Christmas shopping, the
to make sure the AHP officers under- ELD transition should not be put off
stand the rules and operation of the until later.
ELDs. “After all, as figures show, there’s
“At roadside inspections, there are likely to be a rush of last-minute con-
different procedures for how drivers versions,” Thompson says, “which will
share information depending on wheth- mean ELD providers will be strapped
er they’re using ELDs or AOBRDs … with customers needing their help and
and if drivers provide DOT officers with limited in the customer support they
the wrong system information, there’s can provide.” ATR

ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 5 2019 41